Fluid breakdown detection systems and processes useful for liquid immersion cooling

Abstract

A two-phase liquid immersion cooling system is described in which heat generating computer components cause a dielectric fluid cool the computer components. Advantageously, a pH indicator is employed to monitor the acidity of the dielectric fluid via, for example, a color change.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 at least partially submerging a computer component in a thermally conductive, dielectric fluid in a bath area of a vessel, wherein:
 the computer component is mounted in a chassis and configured to receive power; and 
 the computer component is configured to dissipate heat in the dielectric fluid when the computer component operates; 
 
 testing acidity of the dielectric fluid using a pH indicator that changes color when a pH of the dielectric fluid changes; and 
 detecting a color change of the pH indicator by a camera 
 shutting down, using a management system, the vessel in response to detecting the color change. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  which further comprises transmitting a signal to the management system from the camera upon detection of the color change. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the management system triggers a remedial action upon detection of the color change. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising filtering the dielectric fluid with a filter. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the filter comprises activated carbon. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4  wherein the filter comprises activated aluminum. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4  wherein the filter includes the pH indicator. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 4  which further comprises determining a pressure differential on the filter. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  which further comprises determining, using the management system, that the filter is clogged when the pressure differential exceeds a threshold pressure. 
     
     
       11. A system comprising:
 a tank configured to hold a thermally conductive, dielectric fluid; 
 a computer component at least partially submerged within the dielectric fluid; 
 a pH indicator that changes color when the pH of the dielectric fluid changes; and 
 a color detection sensor or a camera to detect a color change of the pH indicator; 
 wherein the system further comprises a container comprising a glass shield wherein the container includes the pH indicator visible through the glass shield and wherein the camera to detect the color change of the pH indicator is configured to take a photo of the pH indicator. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system comprises a color detection sensor to detect a color change of the pH indicator. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system comprises a camera to detect a color change of the pH indicator. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a filter. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the filter comprises activated carbon. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the filter comprises activated aluminum. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the filter includes the pH indicator. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a filter that includes the pH indicator and wherein the camera to detect the color change of the pH indicator is configured to view the filter.